When you were a teenager, do you remember thinking, “I can’t wait to be an adult so my mother won’t be able to try and tell me what to do”?
I remember.
But then you grow up and realize…IT NEVER ENDS lol.
Fact is, you’ll always be a kid in her eyes and she’s always going to want to ask questions and give some “stellar” advice.
So, to my story, which leads on to a question I have for you…
I’m at my mother’s house recently and we’re talking about the fact that I’ve been featured in a couple of newspapers in Northern Ireland recently. So she’s asking about my business and then says….
“But what are you gonna do when you can’t train anymore?”
I’m thinking, “What!?”
Not train anymore?
So I say, “And when would that be?”
To which she replies, “Maybe when you’re in your 40’s or something”.
😯 I felt a mixture of irritation, surprise, and LMAO!!
So I calmly replied, “I’m not going to stop training, like…ever.”
I’ve always just assumed that I’ll always train. Why stop? Why let all this hard work go to waste some day and let my body turn to crap? No chance. Not happening.
I’m not kidding. If I’m here when I’m 90, you’ll see me in the gym. I might have to dial the intensity back a bit by then, but you can bet your ass I’ll be there.
So this got me thinking….
Does everyone think like I do?
Is everyone else committed to training for the rest of their lives?
Leave a comment below, I’m really interested in your answers.
Reply to these 2 questions:
(1) Are you ever going to stop training? And if so, when and why?
(2) What age are you now? (You don’t have to reply to this one if you don’t want to.)
Talk to me,
Mark
33 (34 soon)
Unless there is a drastic change in my life (although I cant think of something) I’m pretty sure i’ll be doing some form of training for life
I will train until I am dead lol. I am 50 years old and still going strong, joints ache now and again but its well worth it plus it is a way of life for me now so I cant see me stopping.
@Matt
@Joe. 2 men after my own heart lol. Never stop.
I am 41 and I am going to train and try to gainuscle as long as I can do it. I don’t plan to stop training in the gym anytime soon. And even without any specific muscle gain goal, the benefits of weight lifting are too positive to give them up any time soon.
I’m 49 and have been training on and off since I was 30. The “off” spells (of a year or two max) were enough to teach me I can’t live without training. I feel depressed and lethargic without it.
There’s a guy at my gym who’s my role model. He’s 78 and still training, despite a knee replacement last year. I told him, “I hope I’m doing what you’re doing when I’m your age.”
Train4life. keep up the good work bro.
52,musclehacker for 2 years , doing chemo , training for life …
@Lance. Wow, that’s incredible. Stay strong buddy 😀
Can’t imagine ever just stopping exercising altogether as it’s part of my life and regular routine. So to wake up one day and say right, that’s enough, is kind of hard to imagine. I’m 35 now and have the time to dedicate to it, but I can see how you’d have to dial things back a bit as you age. The health benefits speak for themselves though, why stop?
I am 27 and like to train 4 to 5 days in week, I can`t live without training in gym. It feels like very uncomplete day, if I couldn`t go gym for some reason. So I can never think about to stop training in gym. even if some day I feels lazy and trying to skip,my wife force me to go for training, lolz.
HELL NO!!!! I’ve been working out since I have been 18 yrs old I’m 38 and still at it, I will never stop exercising, its one of the best parts of my day 🙂
I’m 43,only stopped when i had back surgery,now training again thanks to Mark,at 12%bf and getting there,why stop 🙂
Training is for life! There are more people like us than we imagine. I am 54 and going strong. Two years ago I completed the Spartan Beast Race (13 miles with 24 obstacles). The best way to engage life this way is to stay fit and take care of our bodies, so our bodies can take care of us.
Thank you for the inspiring articles.
Stop training? Never! 36 now and in the best shape of my life, plus, still chasing that 120kg deadlift 🙂
(28) My life revolves around my lifestyle. I always assumed that I would still work out until I physically couldn’t. I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to because it is part of my life now. It’s like breathing: you just do it till you die.
I turned 61 years old TODAY–and even though it’s my birthday, I plan to continue my daily routine of power walking/jogging 5 miles at lunch today, and then 2 hours at the gym after work before my family takes me out for a big steak dinner to celebrate. Mark, I never lifted weights in my life until two years ago when my son got me to join a gym, and showed me some exercises. About a year ago he told me about MuscleHack and I have been following your THT routine with phenomenal results! I am now down to 178 pounds and 11.5% body fat. I’ve even got a decent six pack–at my age! I just had my annual physical exam yesterday along with an EKG and told the doctor about my regular workouts. She said it is REALLY paying off because my resting heart rate is down to 47 bpm! My max heart rate has also increased to 169 bpm (from 159 six months ago). I cannot believe after all this hard work and excellent results that I would EVER give up training. All the guys at the gym who are really big and ripped agree with your philosophy of weight training to failure. I’m even giving advice to some of the “newbees” and always tell them to check out MuscleHack.com for real results. Mark, THANKS for all your great articles, good advice, and no-BS guidance. IT REALLY WORKS!
Never give up…Never surrender!
Training IS my life – why would I ever give it up? I’ve seen some of the best results I have ever made since turning 30 a couple of years ago, so why would I not want to strive for more?
A few weeks ago I ended up with a deep gash in my hand that required stitches (long story), and the Dr. told me not to train until it had healed, to avoid pulling the stitches out – I was GUTTED! Still, I didn’t let that stop me; one-armed deadlifts and plenty of leg-work followed until I was recovered enough to use my hand again 😉
66years old no aches or pains have worked out regularly for about 10 years
feel great and will not stop exercisg !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
34 currently and still improving after 15 years…. I feel at the moment that before I even think abut stopping, I need to stop getting stronger and more ripped first! So echo your sentiments….. and let’s break down barriers over the next 50 years…. never stop, live strong.
Answer to first question- Why would you ever stop weight training? It is the most controlled, intense and balanced form of exercise there is. Giving you the best work out affecting muscle mass, connecting tissue strength and skeletal density.
Second Question- I just turned 51 and have been weight training since I was 22. Being an ectomorph I needed to put on mass for my karate training. Started weight training at 73 kg and went to 88kg in a few months and am now 93 kg.
Just want to say, Mark your work is fantastic and is by far the most efficient system I have come across.
Next goal- get to 8% body fat (now 14%) and start kite-surfing this year.
Hi Mark
I’m a 50 years old guy and started training two years ago (230 lbs with a 30 or more body fat %) last year I started your THT program and now I’m at 200 lbs and 16.5 % body fat ( as per your calculators) I’m not lifting that heavy ( even do I would like to be able to lift more) but I train very hard. Thanks for giving everybody the chance to use your THT program. Keep up the good work
Have trained since I was 12 years old still training at 55 and will keep going until I cant.
Doing the TSPA at the moment nearly at my goal of under 10% bf.
I have a ruptured Achilles and have had to stop training I feel weak. Saying that it made me realize that I will never stop training unless advised to by doctors. I miss going home right now, .
No Way its not in my vocabulary to. Its my medicine, jesse pinkman has meth I have my workouts ha. I’ve never gone through any week ever without having my work outs.
From 15 yo till now 38. Wether travelling,holiday,hotel etc there is no excuse ever not to period! (ok besides the obvious ha) Perhaps they have a gym there –
41. Muscle hacker for a good 4 years. I will do upper body from a wheel chair if I have too. Thanks for everything mark!!!
I’m 54 years young 9% body fat at 95kg been bodybuilding since I was 18
I always train high intensity never going to change
23,
absolutly no,i even will ask my family to put me some dumbbells in the grave when i die so i will can continue training
I’m 27 and damn son I will be in the gym till the day I die. I can’t imagine life without it and I’m convinced that when I’m older I’ll be healthier and much more physically able due to a lifetime of training not just my body, but also my mind.
NO, I’m never going to stop training.
I just turned 35.
I have a pretty strong roll model in my mom and stepfather. Mom is 62, and her hubby is 64. They both are in great shape. They go to the gym, without failing 5 days a week. Mom recently slipped and dislocated her arm. Guess what her biggest complaint was?
That she couldn’t workout until the doc gave her the ok!!!
I am 33 and I always assumed I would be hitting my peak around 50! Similar to King Leonidis….So no I will never stop training.
It’s a good question. This isn’t just your hobby, it’s your profession, right?
You think you will, sure, but what if you simply can’t anymore? If you get arthritis so bad you can barely handle your own body weight, let alone an extra 100 pounds. You’re probably not going to find as many people interested in hiring you as a personal trainer when you can’t keep up with them. It’s only common sense to have a backup plan in place, whether it’s investments or diversifying into things that aren’t dependent on your continued strength and flexibility.
I am 52 and I’m in the gym at least 5 days a week. I plan to train until I can’t physically do it anymore.
I’m 34 next month and I’ve been training since I was 21. I often joke and say that I can’t wait to get married so I can let myself go, but the reality is that there will always be something to train for; women, sport, your family, your health, longevity…
I’m noticing more and more that people who look significantly younger than they are generally train often (but not overtrain).
Really enjoying the latest TSPA version Mark, I can’t believe the amount of effort I put in over the years for the little results in comparison to your program.
I will never stop training. I had to stop once in my life due to being diagnosed with leukemia (a type of blood cancer), and even then I tried to do push-up and sit-ups and other body weight exercises while in the hospital. I hated every minute of not training. Training is part of who I am that won’t ever change no matter what.
Im 28 and stopping is not in my vocabulary. I will be that cute little old lady in the gym that people see and get inspired by. “Well if she can do it, so can I”
I’m 17 years old beeb working out since I was 15 & I fell in love with reaching goals &surprassing them. Even though I dont have the experience as many of you all di I will get there.
Who would want to stop training? It should be part of your routine like eating , sleeping etc. I know when I don’t train for awhile I feel like crap. So I am like you , I will be training as long as I am breathing and physically able to. Stop training?……….NEVER!!!!!!!
I don’t ever intend to stop training and I’m 46
36…I do NOT intend to ever stop training. But I accept that one day I will likely have to lessen
The intensity a bit.
Will I stop training? I havent trained lately cos of an injury/operation to my thumb but my job keeps me fit. 42 years old & I am only just getting gains. I need to find the right supliments as I have a high metabelism. Keep up the good work
63, no I will never stop. I didn’t really start seriously until about 4 years ago after a long illness, but I see many of my peers starting to lose mobility and vigor and giving in to the “little old man syndrome.” Weight training is the best/only way to have any hope of maintaining vigor as you age.
I’m 58 and I have been weight training since I was 26. I will never stop training…ever!! Only if I have to recover from an injury will I lessen up or forego training…but will always workout! I love the way it makes me feel too much to not train. I love being strong.
I’m 46 and didn’t join a gym until I was 41. I feel like I missed out on the first half of my life. I have no intention of ever stopping although I’m sure intensity will be determined by my joint health. It would be like giving up on life. I still think and feel young, until I used to look in the mirror as say ‘who’s that old guy’? Now I only say that when I look at the neck up. 😉
Mark,
I’m 47 and I started working out six years ago (when I divorced and decided to change my life to better).
I’ve made a lot of progress (it’s never late to start). I’ll stop the day my mind doesn’t comand my body any more.
There’s no way in hell I’d stop. Training brought me back to life. By the end of college I had gained 100 pounds and was incredibly unhappy. I just sludged through life, did all the “required” things and even when I finally decided to lose weight back in 2011 I got thinner but I didn’t really start living. For me it was finding Crossfit. Which brought me a whole circle of new friends. Gave me motivation to show up every day. Then Crossfit brought me to Olympic Lifting where I found my passion for coaching. I’ll never quit training, or coaching for that matter. Age is no excuse for wasting away.
Bryce, 27
Will train until my last day, currently 48yrs old, best health of my life and recovering from workouts quicker than ever.
hey mark
im 27 yr old
& i will never ever stop training coz its my Passion my Need & my Nature
i always used to say my wife that whn our kid grows up he also come with me for training coz he doesnt find better gym partner than me haha
he is jst 17mnths old now
may be i will go with my grandson too if will alive coz i never ever stop training
Actually I had this same conversation with my best friend. He said I wasn’t getting any younger (34) and I should consider how training affects joints and body over a long period of time. He gave me every reason why if I train till I’m 50 I’ll be in a wheel chair (apparently). I asked how Hulk Hogan can still train at like 65. He said “good genetics”. He had every scientific reason to believe this (biochemist background). I couldn’t believe my best friend saying/thinking cause you get 30s you should give up physical activities. I asked how his not training has helped him in his 30s. The conversation kind of fell off from there.
I am 61 and training outdoors functional fitness from almost 10 years..I am sure i will never stop training till my last breath…
17 here. Would stop when my body gives up. Won’t if it does not.
I will not be so keen to have washboard of stomach muscles, big biceps and chest when I’m over 50 years. But I will always run a bit and go for walks. Instead of lying on the couch all day, and eat unhealthy.
I am 46 5’10” and weigh 200 pounds when I was 45 I weighed 300 pounds I work the THT program 5 days a week. I WILL NEVER GO BACK I WILL NEVER STOP TRAINING. I have my life back, I can run, bend over and tie my shoes (try being 5’10” and 300 pounds you will see how awesome this simple act is), sleep through the night, make my wife say WOW, and bench press more than I could at 18. I feel better than I did when I was 25. Your program has changed my body and my life WHY WOULD I EVER STOP!
16, training for about 9 months and I am never stopping! Just deadlifted 165kg and i feel epic!
Incredible stories /results from everyone! I’m 47 and couldn’t imagine not working out doing THT or TSPA. I have a family of 5 and we all are working out in the garage flowing Mark’s wisdom in lifting and diet routines.
I am 50 and if I didn’t train I would not be able to keep up with my 10 and 11 year old boys. I had to develop a tailor a program for myself and monitor my physical activity as not to overtrain, but over time have been able to know when I am about to over-do-it..
My sister in law asked me the same question so I replied, “The day before I die”.
I’m 52.
Stop training – never. When God calls me home I’m letting the call go to voicemail….I’ll be training!! No disrespect to God. Just an attitude towards life. I’m enjoying every minute of it.
At the present I am 61 years old. Too heavy!! 6’3” @ 255. Heavy may be the wrong term here. BMI too high!!! My immediate goal, the one I’m focusing on is to weigh 230#.
I’m 47 and only just now getting into powerlifting. I’m going to keep on lifting until my body forces me to stop. And even then, I’ll find new ways to train.
33yo
To be honest with you I cannot get any results so I think I’ll pack up soon. I’ve been training on and off for a decade half of which has been extremely focused and still nothing.
The cost in terms of time and forgoing everything else in order to eat right and train hard drastically outweighs the benefits I’ve seen from it so I ask why bother?
I’m actually starting to see the penn and teller side of this when they looked into it you either have the genetics or you don’t.
Best of luck to all those of you out there trying hard I hope you have the genes and for those like mark with great bodies to you I doth my cap.
I used to train before I had a motorcycle accident . I was in a coma for a month and real smashed up , lucky I’m here today . I’m now fifty and I,ve just taken up training again . It,s not only about looking good for the girls , for me it helped me with my depression , as I can no longer work it breaks my day up . I actually feel alive after my work out , so why would you want to stop ?
I am 74 and I don’t train consistently, not because of my age but because other things get in the way. I have decided that I will be more consistent from now on and have been back in training for two weeks. I always start back with light weights for instance I have just got back up to 50 kilos for squats. Last ime I had the training bug I got up to 100kilos.
The reason I mention my training is to show that age doesn’t have to stop you from training.
42 and in the best shape if my life. Still making gains and hitting the weights heavy. I stick to compounds mostly but break it up with some isolation exercises for the shoulders and arms. Gotta dial back on the calories though, can’t eat like I used to but I can and have done successful recomp diets and leaned down whilst still making gains.
Train for life it definitely won’t kill you …lol.
Cheers for all the hard work Mark
Rodders.
you dont stop training because you get old, you get old because you stop training!!
Well, I didn’t really start training until around 40. I’m 43 now. I began using your program a year ago, and am very happy with the results I’m seeing.
I am so used to training now that it feels odd not to, and I don’t think this will ever change, as I’m too addicted to the stimulation.
Plus, I’m such a naturally skinny dude. It feels so good both physically and mentally to see/feel my body filling out for the first time in my life.
But most importantly, I think it’s preventive maintenance to degenerative problems too, so getting older is more the reason to be continually training.
Thanks for all the help, Mark.
Jason
I’m 34. Was always active in HS sports, and have several yrs training in jiu-jitsu, muy Thai and shodokan kickboxing and am a former golden glove boxer(light heavyweight). Didn’t really hit weights hard until a stint in max security(when they still had weights) since then I’ve never looked back. Powerlifting, Olympic lifts, bodybuilding and even light strongman(I’m half the size of the little guys there). I am now totally addicted to THT and consider myself a muscle hacker. I’ve tried it all, west side, max-ot, 5×5, 10×10 basically everything but crossfit,( I refuse to participate in a commercialized version of a prison work out. Seriously ask anyone who has done time, “crossfit” has been around 30 yrs). But long story short, I will lift until they drag my sweaty corpse from the gym. MUSCLEHACKER FOREVER!!!
No I’ll never stop training. I just turned fifteen and love the burn to much to stop.
I’m 47 and still train and plan on training till the end. Why not? Jack LaLanne did. Life time fitness means FOR LIFE. People I meet or do not know my age think I’m in my early to mid 30’s and that’s the way I feel.
26(27in august)
I get antsy enough when I know I need to take a day off for extra recovery. I can’t imagine not working out. Short of injury. But then back at it!
I”m 64 & started working out again a few months ago after not lifting for 4 years. I’m amazed that I can still make gains at this age. By biggest issue is that my muscles can lift more than my joints can handle – if that makes sense!
I’m 31 and I train 4-6 hours per week at Taekwondo (boring job permitting) and I can’t see that changing any time soon. Our Taekwondo Grand Master died at age 83 and could still do press ups on his fingertips. Age is no boundary if you want it enough!
I’m 55 now and not letting up. The only reason I’d stop is if I have a debilitating injury I just can’t work around. Lucky for me, I’ve never had even a minor injury. I’m good to go
A body in motion stays in motion. Its the first law of physics. I will never stop training, no matter what the limits are.
I’m 43. I don’t plan to ever stop. I imagine that it will be some of the off and on that I’ve experience since I was a teenager. I train for a couple of years, get on a project that makes it very hard for a number of months, then switch things around and am able to get back at it. And I was actually thinking about this very thing a couple of days ago. I’m getting stronger and bigger, but at some point it will reach a max. I mean, I won’t be able to bench 1,000 lbs. What happens when you just can’t go any farther in a particular exercise? That’s a little ways off still. 🙂 but Mark, what do you think? Do you just stay at some sort of max in the 8-12 range at 78 years old?
24 years old.
Me and the gym till death do us part.
Muscles were made to be used.
I didn’t think I’d ever stop. Then the owners of the only gym in town snuck out in the middle of the night with everyone’s money and sold off all the gym equipment. I started going to the only other gym close by, but it’s really nasty and has a minimal amount of equipment. Kind of took the fun out of it. So I was going off and on, then I injured my back at work and that put me out for 2 months. It’s now been a year and I’m feeling the loss, not only in muscle loss and fat creep but my energy level as well. Inertia is a powerful thing but I know the consequences of inaction are not worth it.
I’ll be 43 in October, I’ve been training since I’m 17. Stop training!!!…What’s that!!! I’m in it for the long haul, it’s a way of life for me, I’m going to do this until I’m physical unable to…which I hope is never! That’s part of the reason we all do this…LONGEVITY!!!
Almost 72 and still training 3 mornings a week at the gym and usually 2-3 short Kettlebell/Body weight HIIT or spin cycle sessions at home – and still enjoying it as body fat % is still slowly falling and musculature going up!
I don’t plan to ever stop training. I train so I can stay feeling and looking young. Want to be able to chase the grandkids. I’m 35 going on 36. I plan to be in the best shape of my life in my 40’s
I’m 34 and I’m not going to stop
I’m 44, and I’m really just starting, Mark! 🙂
And I have no intentions to stop when I’ve just started!
I’ll be 46 on June 30th & I’M NEVER STOPPING MY WEIGHT TRAINING!!!!! I still make gains in muscle size every year Thanks to Mr. McManus!!! I’ll Save ya a spot at the “Senior Gym” in 30 to 40 years Mark!!!! Ha,Ha,Ha!!!
I will train until the day I die!! I can’t stand these people that let their bodies go to waste!! The human body is an amazing machine, and I will never let it fall into disrepair! I’m 24 now, I’ve been training since my 8th grade year and it will be a lifelong commitment! 🙂
I’m 35 now and don’t feel i would ever stop. Cut back on intensity maybe but never stop. 😉 Had a shoulder injury recently which stopped me training for 8 weeks. Felt lethargic and not my energetic self not doing any exercise.
I’m only 21 but I Been training for 3 years and I will not stop EVER its a life style now, a routine, even if I think I’m fine the way I am there’s always room for improvement.
Hi Mark
I’m now 60 and started training at 32 with a 2 year break at 40 which I hated. I cannot do a lot of the exercises I used to these days due to age related ailments but work around it with what I can do. It has long become “habit” and just part of my lifestyle so I will train for as long as the body lets me without pain.
Regards, Shane
Why stop!its illogical though i have seen many coming out of few excuses at later age of being busy etc which are all crap. you find time for something you find important. the idea is to have a quality life and as mark had said fine tuning might be required whenligaments go weak and digestion is not up to mark….. but ya its IMPORTANT.
I am going to be 39 in August,and I will never stop training. I’ll be pushing up barbells till I die…then I will be just pushing up daisies, haha!!
I am 3 weeks off 73 and getting back into working out, just 5 weeks after having a total right knee replacement. Prior to this over the last 2 years In have had kidney and thyroid cancer and this has not stopped me from training, though after short recovery periods. I must add that currently I am free of cancer. But in the long run age should not be a deterant to working out. In fact the more muscle that you have in later years the better your life style will be.
Keep training!
Gerhard V
I’m 19 at the moment, and I’ve been training for around five years, but I’ve only trained correctly for like two years. I don’t think I will ever stop training.
I do have a concern, though. I don’t want my muscles to grow past a certain point, since I don’t play sports or lift very often (other than at the gym). So when I get to that point, maybe when I’m 25 or so, I will continue training, but I’ll probably lift the same reps/weight and just do HIIT on the side, for maintenance.
Have any of you guys reached a point where you’re happy with your body, and have entered a maintenance phase? How is it?
I am now 23 training since i was 18 i broke my 2 bones in my left forearm this time last year an i still trained all other body parts while i was in a cast, couldn’t do barbell squats, barbell bench press, pull ups, pull downs but instead i did squats with a back pack (sack on my back) with plates inside, all mostly super sets when it came to legs from sack squats to sack lunges, i did 1arm dumbell press 1arm pull ups 1arm pull downs i did 1 arm everything really, my point is even with 1 arm i still trained and nothing was gonna stop me from maintaining da size i gained from them 4 years of training i just thought outside the box. im never gonna stop nor is anyone ever gonna stop me im going to be training for as long as i possibly can. as long as im living really
Hello Mark!
I’m 34 years old and I have started to do sport since I have 5.
Since 3 years, I’m working out and I’m not thinking to stop coz I love it 😉
Mark 64 years young. I have never stopped training and i don’t plan on stopping. Sometimes, it is a serious chore to get my ass in gear; body is tired or sore and it sounds good to just pick up a book or watch TV and do nothing. But I know deep inside when I do start up i’ll be in a world of hurt At this age you don’t recover as quickly, you can’t get back in shape as easily when you are younger So I do the grind.. and when I’m done I feel so good and sometimes I feel invincible… and that will last until my next exercise period.
But what are you ‘training’ (i.e. practising) for?
Surely you are just exercising.
I will never stop training, too much fun and satisfaction from lifting and pulling heavy things!
I’m 42 this summer and easily in the best shape of my life.
I’m sure we’ve all noticed older people with atrophied muscles and thinner bones from reduced activity. I’m determined not to be one of those (I have a few years yet). I would say exercise, including weight training, becomes even more important as you get older, so I’ll definitely keep going.
24 here….long way to go! Lots of years of training left. I imagine I will keep it up until I feel I can’t lift properly or healthfully anymore. No time soon though!
I’m 21. In my Hapkido class, my grandmaster (a Korean man of 74) told us a story. When he was running his gym, a 61-year-old man joined the dojo. My grandmaster asked him in his heavy Korean accent, “How old are you?” He responded, “I”m 61 years old sir.” “Why you join martial arts?” my asked. He replied, “Well, I’d like to have something to carry my into my seventies.” After a pause, my grandmaster said, “No, not til seventies. Martial arts for life.”
I agree with him wholeheartedly. Every year every man past about 35 is physically decaying. Why not slow down the clock and help yourself last longer? I believe you can teach the body to do anything, even live longer. Staying active, weight training, and hacking the body to remain strong can do that.
Thanks for all the wonderful information and sources Mark! I’ve been a hacker for about 3 years, and I’ve never seen gains like I have following your guidelines. Way to spread truth and bust myths for those skinny ectomorphs like me. You give us hope that we can someday look like you with determination and hard work.
Started training 10 years ago…
Stopped training when my first & second daughter was born for a good four years (Figured sleepless nights would just be counter productive).
Then, stopped training again when my chronic tennis elbow told my body enough is enough.
Started training again this year because deep inside the passion for training never dies and as far as I am concern I will train till the day that I die.
Even (GOD forbids) if my body told me to stop due to serious injury or whatsoever that unable me to train no more, I know somehow I will use my passion & knowledge to help others to hack their muscle!!!
Sometime in your forties? Seriously? She may as well have asked you “What are you going to do when you stop breathing?”
I just turned 49. At the very least, I will keep doing high intensity interval training, supersetting an upper body movement with a lower body movement until the day that I die. When I can no longer do a pushup or a pullup or a squat or a deadlift then I would like to be euthanized.
I refuse to be one of those men who waddle around looking nine months pregnant, who are destined to be bed ridden for a spell before the die. On that note, I’m going to HIIT it in my front yard with some pushups and deadlifts for 20 to 30 minutes in a fasted state.
Peace
Once a person starts training, and continues to be dedicated to being fit and healthy, that makes it a lifestyle change…..therefore I will be doing some sort of workout as long as I’m able to do so. Because I’ve committed to a lifestyle that I love and can’t even think of not working out.
47. Bench 265×3 reps. Squat 340×1. Dead 375×1. Goin for new pr’s later this year. Lifting safely to avoid injury is #1 goal.
G’day Mark,
No intentions of ever stopping training
I’m 44 nearly 45 and its sad to see a lot of guys my age look terrible but I suppose that’s lucky for me I know my wife is happy
regards
Paul
I like this post. …and no, I don’t see myself living without my gym time – this is my time – just for me. I am now 63 years old. I’ve been a solid gym sponsor for more than 40 years and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
Wow! Some amazing and inspirational feedback here!
Safe to say 99% of you are as committed as I am 😀 Great!
Keep the opinions coming, guys.
Why stop now? I have been doing this for 41 years and am now instructing some men less than half my age who enjoy the challenge of trying to keep up with me. It is a lifestyle and I want my wife and kids to follow in that too. Also, the intensity never goes down. It is just the weights so as not to wear out any joints. Keep Training!
Calan
I am 72 years of age and have been training full time (3x a week) since I was 40 years of age. I am as fit as a fiddle and lifting a respectable amount of weight though I am not body building. TYhis I have never done. It has always been muscle toning. All I can say that a workout that took me 1,5 hours twenty years ago now takes 2,5 hours. that is all. Do not forget that parallel to this goes your diet. I am on a low carbohydrate, high proteine and high fat diet, which is the right one.
I will never stop training because it is my IDENTITY
Mark, your observation about your mom is spot on. I’m turning 69 this year and have been training since my early 40’s. Don’t plan on stopping. In fact I now work p/t at my gym.
I am a 45 year old mother of 4. I will never stop working out unless something physically happens to me and I have to. I am an NPC Masters Figure Competitor;)
Thanks!
Heather M Bell, RN
Certified Personal Trainer
864 270 0604
I’m 61, been doing some exercise since just before I was 14, started with Charles Atlas course! then chest expander with attachments, then Bullworker, then weights for a while, trying the latest exercise gadget, back to weights, for a longtime now, just do a minimal amount of actual weights…….once a week, 1 hard set per bodypart , 2 for abs, and once a week, another workout with either : Bullworker (no holds tho), rubber bands/handles etc, bodyweight exercises, or an old exerciser from the 70s Dyno trainer, rota inside that you pull on and it pulls back, bit like a yo yo with a spinning metal disc inside! hahah! Mainly coz I get bored /grinded down by weights, also get bored easily, so once a week weights, and once a week something else, also cycle 8 miles one day a week and walk 5 miles a day with my dog Gurgi (it means a nice bugger!hahhah)….. (66lb Irish long legged staffie, he’s lucky! very strong just going for walks! wish it was like that for humans! ) , feels like enough activity at my age. Not in great shape, but eat quite well and in comparison with a lot of people who are well………FAT!…….. not to bad. Only got one bod, best to maintain it eh?!!!
I’m 53 and have been training since October 1988. Only stopped for a few years when first got a condition called M E or Chronic Fatigue. Started back when able and it done wonders for recovery. Might slow down a little but never give up. Been a powerlifting and bodybuilding.